Sensex increases by 236 points

Mumbai, Jan 11 (ANI): The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark Sensex climbed over 236 points or 1.34 percent in the opening trade on Monday, on emergence of buying in heavyweight stocks by foreign funds driven by rally on the other Asian bourses.

The 30-share index rose by 236.28 points to 17,776.57 points. The BSE barometer had lost over 160 points in the past two sessions.he National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 42.45 points, or 0.80 percent, to 5,287.20 points.

Metal, PSUs, technology and power stocks caught everybody's attention, giving a push to the Sensex.

The brokers' claimed firming trend on the Asian markets, and hoped of better earnings by corporates for the December quarter, mainly triggered the widespread buying by foreign funds as well as retail investors.

Metals stocks were in demand on expectations of rise in prices following stronger-than-expected Chinese imports data.

Tata Steel gained 0.58 percent to Rs 654; Sterlite Industries up by 1.07 per cent to Rs 917 and Hinadalco was higher by 1.53 per cent to Rs 175.90.

Among other gainers, State Bank of India rose by 0.37 percent to Rs 2,295.50, ICICI Bank by 0.35 per cent to Rs 876.90, Infosys by 0.99 percent to Rs 2,488.95, Tata Power by 2.01 percent to Rs 1,505.10 and BHEL by 0.28 percent to Rs 2,430.

Japan's Nikkei was up by 1.09 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng increased by 1.35 percent in the morning trade on Monday. (ANI)